Carivel was born female, but she has been secretly living as a boy for years in her adoptive village of Draebard. The last thing she needs is to fall for not one, but two unattainable men—a dominating warrior and a reluctant wolf-shifter with a horrific past. Now, the Alyrion Empire is poised to invade, and Carivel must choose whether to keep her secret or reveal it—not only to the men she loves, but also to the powerful female ruler whose army could help protect Draebard during the coming war.

Steamy and spellbinding, The Complete Horse Mistress Collection combines detailed world-building and a heartfelt romance between three noble, damaged people who have no one to turn to but each other.

In addition to Books 1 through 4, The Horse Mistress boxset also contains an exclusive series epilogue not available anywhere else—Return of the Wolf.

Author’s note: This series contains descriptions of violence and graphic sex, including sex between men, sex with multiple partners (MMF), and elements of fully consensual BDSM within an established, loving relationship. Additionally, it deals with issues of gender identity and gender fluidity. It is intended for a mature audience.

Carivel is the star of this collection of fantasy/historical paranormal stories. Taking place in a tribal setting, where clans are highly structured and socially demanding, Carivel struggles with her role as a man with a woman’s body. She falls in love with shape-shifting eunuch Senovo and warrior Andoc. Their menage is lovely, explicit, and intense. Beyond the confines of gender and sexuality. The plot, too, is captivating. I read through these quickly, caught up in plot twists and harrowing experiences.

Though Carivel has a lot of issues to deal with, she’s not let off the hook when it comes to society. Other characters defy gender and sexuality expectations and Carivel must learn to be a leader, even when breaking the rules could mean death.

There’s powerful meaning in this tale. It’s challenging in all the right ways, and quite a story, too.

Julia is a domme for hire. Paid to spank and dominate men, she loves what she does during the summer months. However, she is also a submissive for her husband.

Garrison is content being married to Julia even though he is a bisexual. That is, until he realizes the man he has the hots for is interested in him. Too bad his job as a detective has him busy dealing with a serial murder case. Good thing, the sexy lawyer is also on the case and it gives him a reason to see him.

Keaton might be a shark in the courtroom, winning almost every single case he tries, but he is submissive in the bedroom. It’s hard to balance his work life with his private life and finding someone that can handle both aspects of his personality.

When they realize they all know each other and there is desire between the three of them, things get hot. But, can three really make a relationship instead of two?

The serial murderer isn’t going to wait for them to figure out their situation. He is on the hunt for dommes and isn’t leaving much behind for the police to use to find him.

So many things to like in this book. The sex scenes were hot. H. O. T. The kink was good, integrated within the story, integral to the plot, but not overwhelming. The emotions of all three characters made the relationship between them all. No, they don’t expect everything to be roses all the time. They expect problems and issues, but they all have a desire to work through them. A realistic viewpoint. The serial killer case upped the tension and anticipation, knowing that something was going to happen. I would say, though, that it was difficult swinging between the two extremes of the plot. The romance/erotica/relationship story had such a different feel from the police procedural/murder mystery/cop thriller, and sometimes the transition between the two was difficult to traverse. Both storylines were good, both kept my attention, but they evoked very different reactions, and I’m not sure those went together as well. Also, there was a lot of foreshadowing, enough that I felt confident in who the perp was, and how things would come to a head. That didn’t lessen my enjoyment at all. I liked the emphasis on the feelings of Julia, Garrison, and Keaton, and how they all worked through honest communication to get to a place where everybody was happy with the relationship. All in all, this was a very enjoyable read.

AmyP

What did I just read? Brilliance is what that was! Plus look at that cover…oh freaking my, sexy, sexy. This story had a little bit of everything that crosses of the must have list. It had the suspense, it had the D/s, it had the love and emotions. It didn’t have that insta-love and fairytales, which for me is all the better. Garrison and Julia have amazing marriage and understand, trust, respect each other to help the other with what they need in life. The characters had to work for the relationship, yet the relationship felt real not forced or fake. I liked that Julia and Garrison knew Keaton in their own unique ways. It helps to show that the deep connection that was there and why the emotions bloomed so well. They felt real with real issues and fears, like they were your neighbors. Garrison and Julia may have been a strong couple, but with the addition of Keaton, the three are a powerhouse throuple and so dang sexy too, mmhmm.

The flow was smooth; the storyline was coherent. I enjoyed having the 3 POVs, so I could get to know each one and I did. Garrison was my favorite, he cracked me up, yet his love for his wife to let her do what she needs is amazing. Once I started reading, I could not set this book down.

Kris

I love Orman books. This one did not disappoint. The characters are well developed and the story flows easily.

Julia, Garrison and Keaton are all living their lives – doing what they love and trying to figure out how to be happy.

I love that Julia is both Domme and sub. I think that it gives her a unique experience and with her skills, she is able to fulfill many desires. I also really like that she keeps her client’s secret, even from Garrison. I think that it makes her situation throughout the story much more real. When she is faced with a situation, she handles herself with grace and strength.

Then you have Garrison, who is working hard to figure out who is hurting Domme’s in his town. Not only does he not really have a clue who is doing this, but he has to figure out his feelings for DA Keaton. While he loves his wife, he also knows that he enjoys being with men too. Julia knows and accepts this about him, so he just needs to figure out if Keaton should be with them as a couple, him alone or not at all.

Finally, you have Keaton. I loved his character. He was strong, brave and unafraid of what he desires. He knows that his lifestyle could put him in the hot seat, so he’s thankful that he found someone who will keep his secret. When he figures out how everything is connected, he has to make the decision to leap and hope that nothing bad will happen.

The three of them have OK chemistry, but I do wish that we would have seen them more on a one and one basis. I felt like we heard all about their relationship, but didn’t really get to see it develop.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It had great chemistry and the mystery was intriguing.

AvidReader

Rachael Orman you completely and totally blew me away. I have not read any of Rachael Orman’s previous books but I can guarantee you that I will be doing so now. This is a book that is full of lust, respect, dommes, submissives, dominates, love, cravings, mystery, murder, BDSM, and so much more. What more can a girl ask for? Oh yeah I know, male/male/female relations. But guess what, it has that too.

This is one of those books that when you start reading it sucks you in immediately and does not let go till the very end and even then you are left wishing you had not finished the book yet because you want more. It is one of those books that even when it ismidnight you do not want to put the book down because you have to know what is going to happen next.

Garrison and Julia are happily married and if push came to shove, they are not missing anything in their relationship. They are truly a couple that most would love to base their own relationship off of but Julia is submissive to Garrison but is a Domme to others in her part time line of work. Garrison is also bisexual but they have never let those two things come between them. I honestly do not think that they ever would have either. But both of them being attracted to Keaton was a plus in their marriage because both was able to get to explore parts of themselves that they normally would not have.

In my opinion, it was inevitable for the three of these people to end up together. They each complimented one another in ways that made them all better people and happier in their lives. It is as if in my opinion, that they are made for one another. The three of them together is better all together then they ever could be apart.

With the murders happening around them, it throws an extra spin into the book that made it even more captivating. I really enjoyed reading this book so much and I cannot wait to read more books by Rachael Orman. She is a spectacular author and this book is proof of that. Amazing job!!!!

Tosha

Definitely a very steamy and suspenseful story.
This book will keep you guessing as to what is going to happen regarding the suspenseful plot.
The hot scenes make it very steamy.
All three characters worked really well together.
It definitely was a very good read if you like mmf.
Loved it!

Sherry

I’m a huge fan of Rachael’s work. So I’m not surprised this book is just as fabulous as her other work. I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. The Dom/Sub, Domme/Sub genre is one of my favorites to read. But, then again, I have so many genres I enjoy it’s hard to pick a favorite.

The relationship Julia and Garrison share is amazing. I love that Julia is a switch. This just makes her character seem more real to me. Garrison knows Julia is a Domme, and has no problem with her exploring this side of herself with other men. Julia knows Garrison is bisexual and they have had a few 3-way relationships with other men in the past.

Keaton is a fierce District Attorney. He almost never loses a case. He thrives on his control as he dominates in the courtroom. But, he long ago realized he can’t have total control in every aspect of his life. Keaton has accepted his need to submit in the bedroom. Julia gives him the submission he needs in the bedroom to escape the control his mind has over him.

Garrison and Keaton have worked together on cases in the past. Garrison has always noticed Keaton. The two men have always kept their distance, never forming a friendship outside of work. Until the newest case of dead women comes across their desks. While trying to solve the case an amazing friendship begins between them.

As the trio their new relationship, Julia comes face to face with the person responsible for killing other Dommes in the city. Just when she thinks she may not survive, both her men show up to save her and catch the bad guy.

Now that “the incident” is over, the three of them are getting closer and the relationship is getting stronger.

Trauma surgeon Ronan Grisham lost everything the day the man he loved was stolen from him in a brutal attack. Driven by a thirst for vengeance, he turns his hatred into building an underground group that can do what he couldn’t that fateful day…take the lives of the guilty to save the lives of the innocent. But years later, he’s forced to confront the one link to his past that he can’t sever.

Seven years after the loss of his parents in a violent home invasion that left him permanently scarred both inside and out, 21-year-old Seth Nichols is trying to put his life back together so he can take over the reins of his father’s global shipping empire. But the last person he expects to come back into his life is the man he drove away with one innocent, stolen kiss.

With one brush of his lips, Seth managed to do to Ronan what no other had since the day Ronan watched the light in his fiancé’s eyes go out forever. He made him need again. But Ronan can’t need anyone, least of all his dead fiancé’s younger brother. Because even one touch from Seth could shatter Ronan’s carefully constructed world and Ronan knows there’s no coming back from that a second time.

But when a series of escalating attacks against Seth forces Ronan back into his life, Seth knows it’s his last chance to show Ronan he can be the man the broken surgeon needs. Only the Ronan who returns isn’t the Ronan Seth fell in love with so long ago…

Can Seth be Ronan’s salvation or will he end up destroying them both?

You could read this book as a standalone but I highly recommend you read it in order, characters overlap and you will get a better understanding of things. I loved the first book and this one was just as good. We met Ronan in the first book and after one of the characters in the first book threw out a question at him at the end of the book I was wanting to know his answer to that question as well. We got that answer in this book. There is are so many feelings in this book, I couldn’t put it down. Seeing things from Ronan’s view of the events that happened in the past and then seeing them through Seth’s eyes, your heart breaks for both of them. This was an amazing story and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

Angie

Whenever I see that Sloane Kennedy has a book coming out, I’m there. Sign me, up, I don’t even have to read the description to want to read it. The covers are always gorgeous and the author is an auto-read for me.

So, in the 2nd book in the Protector’s series, we have Ronan, who we met in book 1. He’s the guy who started the whole business of avenging people that the police just couldn’t or wouldn’t avenge. Of course he has his own tragic back story and we meet Seth. He’s the brother of Ronan’s dead lover. As excited as I was for Ronan’s story, I think I built it too high in my head. I really didn’t get what I was looking for…

Action, undying love and romance. We got romance, but Seth was kinda…bland. And Ronan wasn’t the same mysterious Ronan we got a glimpse of in the 1st book. Then again, like I said, I kind of built him up in this mantle with way too many expectations. I think I just wanted more for him. Seth’s back story was really tragic and I felt for him. I just didn’t want him for Ronan.

When a rodeo clown, a small town veterinarian and his assistant form a complicated trio, they find it’s their choices that determine who finds love.

When rodeo clown Brandt Collins is forced into retirement by an injury in the arena, he heads to long-time friend Kaden Slater’s hometown to settle down. As far as he’s concerned, if that old flame ignites into a wildfire, then all the better.

Kaden is glad to see Brandt, but a little complication in the form of Kaden’s new assistant, Mike, throws a wrench in all their plans. Sexy, smart and young, Mike wants Kaden more than he wants his next breath.

Soon, misunderstandings and the past conspire to tear the trio apart before they’ve even begun. And now it’s their choices that will determine who finds love—and who doesn’t.

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of mild violence, Ménage and M/M/M intimacy.

Publisher’s Note: This book has previously been released elsewhere. It has been revised and re-edited for re-release with Pride Publishing.

This was a good, quick read. The name really is good for this book considering these three men have a big choice to make.

Brandt and Kaden have put off persuing a relationship with one another for a very long time. They both thought that their careers was more important even though they hurt not being together. In that time apart Kaden hired Mike to work in the vet offices as his assistant and knows that Mike has a crush on him and the feeling is mutual but he has never acted on it because of Brandt. These tree men finally come together and have a choice to make. Kaden can walk away from one or both men or the three of them can try and make a go of it together as a threesome.

I think this was a good read but there could have been so much more to it. For instance it left everything that was happening or did happen with Amos up in the air. EM Woods never elaborated on what the situation was with this man and how he was involved with Brandt or Mike either one and EM never elaborated on what happened with Amos after the the near fight at Sissy’s house. So it is kind of there in the air. I also wish that EM Woods would have elaborated more on who these three men decided to come together and what led to the decision. It was a good story but I feel like it could have been a great story with more details.

Jericho Dark Walker is a Bear, born to shift into both an animal’s and man’s form. He’s second in command to the mixed group of shifters living in the Great Forest. For years it had been his dream to see his clan reintroduced to the land of their ancestors. But now that he’s back he finds himself restless, unable to find joy in even the simplest back scratch or hive of honey. The female shifters offer little challenge, more than eager to bed the Great Clan’s beta, and with everyone getting along, there’s little more for him to do than break up the rare fight.

When an opportunity arrives to represent the clan and work with the athmae to oust an evil plaguing the outer edge of the Great Forest, he gratefully volunteers. The alpha’s brother has mated with an athmae—a demon—so Jericho thinks he knows what to expect. But his new partner is anything but typical. The athmae assigned to work with him is a male demon as large as Jericho, and just as deadly. No sex demon, but a hunter with the instincts of a true predator. So why is Jericho so taken with the male, when he has only ever felt desire for a female?

And why, when they rescue an annoying, sexy cat shifter from certain death, do his instincts scream at him to claim both the feline female and the demon as his own? Bears don’t mate outside their species, yet everything inside Jericho pushes him to do just that. A cat, a demon and a bear. Oh my.

Publisher’s Note: This book has previously been released by Pride Publishing. It has been revised and re-edited for re-release.

I do not care what others opinions of this series is because it would not deter my opinion of the series, which is that I really love it. And his book in the series is no different. I loved it too.

This book did not let me down as in following the others in the series with having so much action, steamy comings together, one or more mate fighting against their destiny because they think they no better, and last but not least,,,,, love.

Jericho is bored with all the peace that has happened since the previous matings of his clan. He misses the adventures, fighting, and heart pounding thrill but one has to be careful what they wish for because sometimes those wishes can come true by ten fold and then all he\\ will break lose.

Jericho never expected to find his mates while searching for a killer and he definitely did not expect it to be a man and he definitely did not expect to have a second mate that was a woman also. Best of both worlds for him in my opinion.

But more is at play then there mating and they have to trust one another to defeat the evil that is out for them and their clans.

This book is packed full of adventure while they all search for the evil that plagues them. It is so much fun to see what Jericho, Seino, and Anya get up too. It is also nice being able to get glimpses of all the previous people from the books before this one. I really believe that Marie Harte has a knack for putting together a great book full of supernatural paranormal people with adventures that rival the best of love stories. I can not wait to see what Marie Harte comes up with next.

Tosha

This book was great and I loved how the author put a cat, demon and bear together that was absolutely amazing. I love most shifter books and the author was able to put this one in my favorite column. I mean when you can have a group of shifters that share everything (and I mean everything) and an author that really knows just what to write, what more can you want. This book was clearly a mix of super-hot shifters and demons. I loved how the author was able to build a domain of exciting characters and they definitely have a lot of really hot sex. This was a fun and exciting read and I hope to see more of this series.

August and Laurence have been lovers for years, and it’s a love August has never had any cause to doubt, even if Laurence is also his employer—until they arrive in Umbra and meet Queen Maeve, the woman Laurence is to marry.

It’s immediately clear to August that Maeve is more than a little interested in Laurence, and as the gap between him and lover widens, Laurence growing increasingly reserved and distant, August fears the moment he’s always dreaded is near to hand.

And the end of their relationship might be easier to accept if he could hate Maeve, but asking him to hate the beautiful, intriguing Maeve would be like asking him to stop loving the Lord he’s served and adored so long. Which just makes August more miserable than ever, and waiting for the moment when he’s finally cast out.

Lore Graham’s worlds are complex and interesting, and I love the way the world-building is threaded into the plot seamlessly. I enjoyed discovering August’s culture and surroundings as the story unfolded.

For the most part, I enjoyed this story. The characters and setting are interesting. Although I wanted to know more about their society, there was enough detail to keep my attention, and I didn’t feel as though it were lacking. It’s more that I want to see other stories set in this realm.

I liked August very much, but I’m not entirely sure how I feel about his relationship with Laurence or with Maeve for that matter. I am still on the fence about the power imbalance. I don’t really think August is being used, exactly, but he certainly isn’t on the same level with the others. It particularly bothered me that August seemed more like he was servicing Laurence than that Laurence actually cared about him as a person, and that bothered me a bit. I was left with the impression of “we trust you and we will occasionally have you in our bed, but you’re basically still a servant and should know your rightful place.” It may just be a case of it not really being my thing.

Other than that, though, it was very well written. There were some nicely steamy moments, and I definitely appreciated the skill regarding the creation of this world. I hope to see more about it in the future.

~Amy

Although I did enjoy this quick read, I was left feeling as if there could have been much more to this story.

August in my opinion really does get the short end of the stick in this book. He works for Laurence basically as his personal assistant to whatever he needs and he is his secret lover also but I feel as if he is being used and nothing more. Then you throw Mauve (Laurence’s soon to be new wife) into the mix and I feel as if both Laurence and Mauve are both getting their cake and eating it too.

I believe that August is in love with Laurence and would never deny him any of his wishes but what I did not like about the story is Laurence never really said how he felt about August one way or the other and also Laurence is rather gold to August for the most part throughout the book.

What I did enjoy about the book is the fact that Mauve was a very bright woman and treated August with respect even though she really did not have too. I think that she actually has feelings for both men. The fact that she wants to include instead of exclude August in their wedding night was more then August could have ever asked for. Not to mention she did not want him to leave when they were done.

I enjoyed this story but I really wish that Laurence’s character would have been more forth coming with his feelings and I wish that he would have made it clear what he really wanted from both Mauve and August.

The law of three is unbroken: three vampires form a coterie, three demons make a pack, and three wizards are a coven. That is how it has always been, and how it was always to be.

But Luc, Anders, and Curtis—vampire, demon, and wizard—have cheated tradition. Their bond is not coterie, pack, or coven, but something else. Thrust into the supernatural politics ruling Ottawa from behind the shadows, they face Renard, a powerful vampire who harbors deadly secrets of his own and wishes to end their threat. The enemy they know conjures fire and death at every turn. The enemies they don’t know are worse.

Blood, soul, and magic gave them freedom. Now they need to survive it.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this book. I was expecting it to be one thing and it turned out to be another. But regardless of what I thought it would be about, the book itself turned out to be so much better.

Curtis in my opinion is the one that holds the triad together. He is the one that caused their bond and I think it is him that keeps them all together. He is the glue to their triad and I believe that he is in love with both Ander’s and Luc. Even though he has not and will most likely never tell them. I also believe that Curtis is so strong. I believe that most others would have given in under the pressure of rules, but not Curtis. He takes being able to do magic in stride and takes every opportunity he can to learn as much as he possibly can but at the same time he believes that magic should be used only for good.

Luc is the level headed one of the bunch in my opinion. He is the one that talks since into the othe two in the triad and keeps them out of trouble. Luc acts as though he is completely unaffected by the other two but again I believe he is in love with both men but will never admit or tell them. Luc is the vampire in their group but he respects Curtis and Curtis’s want to only do good so Luc does not do any unnecessary killing.

Ander’s is the Demon in their group but I think that Ander is more about having a good time then using his powers for evil. He too is in love with both the men in his group but he would definitely never admit it because he lives sex to much with whoever he can get it from to risk losing that. But Ander would do whatever it took to keep these two men safe and protected.

The three of these men have unusual relationship but it works for them.

This was an extremely great read and I truly enjoyed it. I hope others do too.

Tosha

It was tricky rating this so I stuck with 3 stars cause while I liked the characters, I wish there was…more.

We have a great trio. Vampire Luc, Lust Demon Anders and Curtis, the witch. Luc was cool and a bit reserved, but hanging out with the other two is certainly making him be more open. Anders is that sarcastic guy that you end up adoring. Curtis was cute and literally the glue that held all three of them together.

When I started reading, I was a bit thrown off cause they were already a Triad. So I browsed and found out there’s a short story with them called Three. I read it then came to this one. I really liked the trio. Sadly, they weren’t really a threesome. Yeah, they formed a Triad so they’d have a coven for protection, but it wasn’t a true menage. I was so looking forward to that and was bummed when I didn’t get it. If there’s another book coming, I really want these three to be involved romantically and not just “friends with benefits”. I felt sort of detached to the story because of that.